The Ka’u Calendar was founded in 2002 at a time when many rural areas across the country were becoming news deserts. Ka’u was one of them, in need of news about itself. The two newspapers on the island were far away in Hilo and Kona  - additional news gathering was needed.

The founders decided to cover news from Volcano through Pāhala, Naalehu and Ocean View to Milolii and their surrounding neighborhoods. 

The print edition comes out monthly and mailing and printing are supported by local advertising. The print paper is free to all of the postal addresses. Approximately 5500 copies go out in the mail and 2000 on the streets. 

The journslists’ aim is to help stitch the communities together by letting folks know about events to attend, where to volunteer and issues to study. The staff also aims to document the life here through photographs and stories.

Economic development, housing, education, health, local culture and environment are covered topics, with the goal to provide information to empower the community make its own decisions about the future. 

The Ka’u Calendar’s policy from its inception is to not endorse candidates and legislation. The newspaper does not write editorials. It attempt to provide only information to assist the community in decision making.